Hollywood Game Night Home Game Hits (Walmart) Stores 15 February

Finally, the Party Box of the SMASH HIT (by NBC standards) game show, Hollywood Game Night, is coming soon. Jane Lynch greets us on the box art with a hearty “Hee-Yeaaa!” while blurry non-celebs have the time of their lives. Walmart customers will get their opportunity to get it the day after Valentine’s Day. Others shoppers will find it in other stores after Walmart’s exclusive window ends. The Party Box is currently available at the NBCUniversal Store for pre-order. Its release there is on 7 March.

What would make it an impressive late Valentine’s Day gift? Including a gameplay add-on card describing the “Martin Short Experience,” which is guaranteed to be most memorable part of home games. Anyone imitating Martin Short’s antics won’t be guaranteed to keep their friends, though.

Celebs, house band, and bar are NOT included. You’d have to bring them over yourself. In my neck of the woods, I’m not sure if the local high school football coach would graciously accept an invite to play stuff like “I Love a Charade.”

HOLLYWOOD GAME NIGHT PARTY GAME HITS SHELVES FEBRUARY 15 NBCUniversal Television Consumer Products and Cardinal Industries Join Forces to Launch First Game Based on Hit Series which Returns to NBC on February 27

UNIVERSAL CITY, Calif. – February 14, 2014 – NBCUniversal Television Consumer Products announced today that Cardinal Industries, a leading board and card game developer, will introduce a card game based on the hit show, “Hollywood Game Night.” Hitting shelves on February 15, the Hollywood Game Night Party Game will be available initially at Walmart stores for an exclusive window and will also be available at the NBC online store (www.nbcuniversalstore.com). “Hollywood Game Night” returns to NBC on February 27 and will air on Thursdays at 9 p.m. ET/PT. The licensing deal was brokered by Joy Tashjian Marketing Group, LLC.

The Hollywood Game Night Party Game transports all the fun and high jinx of the series, hosted by Jane Lynch right into everyone’s living room. The game includes five different card games, dual purpose coasters, a timer, a dry erase score chart and a marker to keep score. Players will learn how well they know pop culture, who can “doo” a song the best and which team can conquer the Celebrity Name Game Challenge.

“The Hollywood Game Night Party Game is a great way to bring the fun of the show right into your own home,” said Kerry O’Donnell, director of global licensing, NBCUniversal Television Consumer Products Group. “The pop culture trivia and fast-paced format of the games will provide outrageous fun and lasting memories for our fans. We are really proud to be working with Cardinal on this project as the show continues into its second season.”

“’Hollywood Game Night’ is tailor-made for home entertainment,” said Joel Berger, President, Cardinal Industries. “ Its unique, teamwork-based format provides the perfect kicker for any party, event or simple family evening at home.”

“JTMG and Cardinal have worked together on many game show properties” said Joy Tashjian, President of Joy Tashjian Marketing Group. “Cardinal knows how to recreate the excitement of the television game experience and bring it to your home.”

Currently in its second season, “Hollywood Game Night” transports contestants from their everyday lives to a once-in-a-lifetime night of fun and celebration as they step beyond the velvet rope and rub shoulders with some of their favorite celebrities to compete for the chance to win up to $25,000. Hosted by Emmy Award and Golden Globe winner Jane Lynch, “Hollywood Game Night” is produced by Hazy Mills Productions (“Grimm,” “Hot in Cleveland”), Mission Control Media (Syfy’s “Face Off”) and Universal Television. Sean Hayes, Todd Milliner, Michael Agbabian and Dwight D. Smith are executive producers.